As Tunisia shifts politically, Old Guard hangs on

TUNIS, Tunisia - Tunisia took a step toward democracy and reconciliation Monday, promising to free political prisoners and opening its government to opposition forces long shut out of power - but the Old Guard held on to the key posts, angering protesters.

Demonstrators carrying signs reading "Get out!" demanded that the former ruling party be banished altogether, a sign that more troubles lie ahead for the new unity government as security forces struggle to contain violent reprisals, shootings and looting three days after the country's longtime president fled under pressure from the streets.

"We're afraid that the president has left but the powers-that-be remain," said Hylel Belhassen, 51, an insurance salesman. Even before the new government was announced Monday, security forces fired tear gas to repel demonstrators who see the change of power as Tunisia's first real chance at democracy.

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled Friday to Saudi Arabia after a month of protests over unemployment and corruption led to his downfall after 23 years in power.

The government announced Monday that 78 civilians have died in a month of unrest - an announcement that underlined the depth of the violence in the usually placid Mediterranean tourist destination.

Under autocratic Ben Ali, Tunisia was effectively under one-party rule. The new government named Monday includes three ministers from the opposition, a first in Tunisia. But members of Ben Ali's RCD Party held on to most of the jobs, including the most important posts.

Security forces have gotten an image makeover in the public mind. The once-feared police have been fighting snipers and armed groups widely believed to be Ben Ali loyalists.

Nearby nations, meanwhile, faced a wave of self-immolation attempts Monday, apparently influenced by a desperate Tunisian man who set himself on fire a month ago, sparking the protests that brought his president down.

Self-immolations have taken place in Egypt, Algeria and Mauritania.

In Cairo, a 50-year-old man frustrated by tough living conditions set himself on fire outside the Egyptian parliament Monday, the official news agency reported.

In Tunisia, hundreds of stranded tourists were still being evacuated, and foreign airlines gradually resumed flights that were halted when Tunisian airspace closed amid the upheaval.

Besides the 78 civilians killed in the monthlong protests, Interior Minister Ahmed Friaa said, 94 civilians were injured, a jump from the previous official death toll of 23.

The new figure does not include members of security forces, some of whom also died, Friaa said.

Friaa told reporters that 85 police stations have been damaged around the country, along with 13 town halls, 43 banks, 11 factories and 66 stores or shopping centers.

Streets of the capital appeared calmer Monday, but police were posted on most corners in downtown Tunis, with busloads of forces waiting to deploy.